There is speculation that the master filmmaker Stanley Kubrick directed the Apollo moon landings whilst simultaneously creating his sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, and that clues about this were left in his 1980 movie The Shining.
To find the secret to Kubrick's final movie Eyes Wide Shut, start at the final shot of his misunderstood masterpiece: the camera pans down to the number 1921.
Documentaries have been made about the secrets contained in The Shining. Several aspects have been examined... but they could be considered ambigous.
A more easily demonstrable key was used for the hidden messages in EWS.
A more easily demonstrable key was used for the hidden messages in EWS.
So how does one embed forbidden secrets into a film - and get it released - without the studio executives noticing? The trick must be obvious, but also take time to work out... time... what was that big number at the end of The Shining?
1921.
Turn that into a timestamp: 1 hour, 9 minutes and 21 seconds.
If we play Eyes Wide Shut simultaneously on 2 screens, one starting at the beginning, and the other starting 1:09:21 into the movie, the resulting show will have 2 windows, and last one and a half hours - finishing when the out-of-sync reel ends.
This is the beginning when the windows are properly aligned:
After just one minute, something spooky starts happening - both Bills reach for their wallets - as above, so below.
Bill enters the first party and the second party at the same time - with our 1:9:21 temporal offset in place!
Two ballrooms, one pianist... are we witnessing two parties, or is it really two dimensions of the same party?
As the pianist finishes one set, he begins another.
Alcohol and incense, essential ingredients for a night of debauchery!
Bill gives the nod, and the strangers begin their intercourse.
The couple find separate "dancing" partners, above and below.
The orgy unfolds. The slow pace of the full-length movie is gone - when brought together, a quiet moment in one scene can complement dialogue in the other.
Bill enjoys the company of some "models".
Interrupted... just as Bill was enjoying himself.
"You know, the woman with the great tits" pleads with Bill, just as he pleads with her, exactly 1hr 9min 21sec before.
"The sculpture gallery" - does the Hungarian take Alice to find the masked sculptures?
Bill talks with Mr Big. The party host is not pleased...
Enter Bill - another nice synchronicity placed by Stanley.
Vibrant blue and red are the matching colours as the couple have a bedside tiff or two.
Jealousy and fantasy go through Bill's mind.
"Come in."
Bearers of bad news.
The grieving daughter's kiss lingers on Bill's thoughts in the past, and he calls her in the future.
Strife! Bill smashes his hands together, or drops the phone, depending on your viewpoint. Either way, his masculinity feels shattered.
A few sensual minutes are spent in the apartment of a whore who tempts Bill. Yes, these scenes are in sync too.
Who is checking up on Bill? Both his wife, and the investigator across the road.
Time to pay up. Bill splashes the cash again in both windows.
New York nightlife.
Taking a table.
Larry the bassist, on the left, is introduced at the "same" time as Larry the journalist, on the right.
In animated discussions with the bosses, Bill is asked "how you got yourself through the door?" as he goes through the door,
Again we see Mr Big with... Mr Big.
The mask.
The heart of Kubrick's occulted warning is found at the finale, as the synchronized steadycam shots imply that children are present at these twisted parties.
The mask.
The heart of Kubrick's occulted warning is found at the finale, as the synchronized steadycam shots imply that children are present at these twisted parties.
The end titles suggest that Bill represents Stanley. There are autobiographical aspects in his other films - the Joker in "Full Metal Jacket", the misfit "Barry Lyndon", and of course Jack in The Shining.
So who are the cowards behind the masks? The overlayed credit for Tom Cruise displays him as the adrenochrome-trafficking vermin that he really is.
The credits roll out... is Hollywood itself represented by these costumed figures?
Despite his limited catalogue, Stanley Kubrick is considered the greatest filmmaker of all time.
This "Christmas" movie was released on the 30th anniversary of Apollo 11. Stanley's death was announced 666 days before 2001, when he was aged 70 years, 7 months and 7 days.
Kubrick's skill, to be seen clearly, needs to be studied with more than one eye. We have covered just a fraction of the 1:9:21 syncs in EWS - so try it yourself!
There are other investigations into Eyes Wide Shut. This discovery opens the pod bay doors to more research...